Office of Compensation Analysis and Support 

Program Evaluation Report

Document Number: OCAS-PER-032 

Effective Date: 12/18/2007 

Revision No. 0 

Nevada Test Site TBD Revisions Page 1 of 2 

Author: Signature on file Date: 12/18/2007 _ Dave Allen, HP Team Leader 

Approval: Signature on file Date: 12/18/2007 _ J.W. Neton, Associate Director for Science 

Supersedes: None 

RECORD OF ISSUE/REVISIONS 

ISSUE 

AUTHORIZATION 

DATE 

12/18/2007

EFFECTIVE 

DATE 

12/18/2007 

REV. NO. 

0 

DESCRIPTION 

New document to determine which 

previously completed claims require 

evaluation for the effect of revising the 

Nevada Test Site TBD. 

1.0 Description

The Nevada Test Site (NTS) Technical Basis Document (ORAUT-TKBS-0008) has been 

revised several times. The TBD contains six separate sections each pertaining to a 

specific part of dose reconstruction. Technical Information Bulletins (TIB) are also 

utilized in dose reconstruction. Many of the revisions only corrected typographical errors 

or clarified language. Some revisions were made as the result of a Special Exposure 

Cohort (SEC) designation for specific classes of employees at the site. Methods outlined 

in the latest revision of these documents were reviewed against previous methods to 

determine if any previously completed dose reconstruction would result in an increased 

dose using current methods. The review was limited to any increase rather than an 

overall increase. Therefore, since changes that would cause dose to decrease were not 

reviewed, it is possible a new dose reconstruction would result in an overall decrease in 

dose even if it is determined that a new dose reconstruction is warranted. 

2.0 Issue Evaluation

Revision 1 of the external section of the TBD (ORAUT-TKBS-0008-6) contained the two 

changes that would result in an increase in dose to previously completed claims. The first 

change was in increase in the detection limit of the dosimeter used after 1986. This 

results in an increase in missed dose for those individuals monitored after 1986. 

The second change is an adjustment to missed and recorded photon dose from July 1960 

to the end of 1965. This is the time frame NTS was using the DuPont 559 film pack 

which contained a lead filter. The reduction in photon dose due to the lead filter was not 

accounted for prior to revision 1 of the TBD. 
Office of Compensation Analysis and Support

Document Number: OCAS-PER-032 Program Evaluation Plan 

Effective Date: 12/18/2007 Revision No. 0 Page 2 of 2 

3.0 Plan for Resolution or Corrective Action

There were 481 Nevada Test Site claims completed prior to 7/30/2007 (issue date of 

revision 1) with a probability of Causation below 50% that meet the criteria above. The 

dose reconstruction methodology of each will be reviewed to determine if a new dose 

reconstruction is necessary to determine if the revisions increase the dose estimate. The 

criteria for making this determination are: 

1. Any of the claims assigned an external photon missed dose based on 

dosimeter readings obtained after 1986 will require a new dose estimate. 

2. Any of the claims assigned a photon dose between July 1960 and the end of 

1965 based on dosimeter readings will require a new dose estimate. 

NIOSH will review these dose reconstructions to determine if they meet any of the 

criteria listed above. NIOSH will provide DOL with the list of 481 claims as well as a 

determination on each claim as to whether a new dose estimate is required. 

Documentation for each claim not requiring a new dose reconstruction will provide the 

basis for that determination.